Sergeant Billy : the true story of the goat who went to war

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Title:

Sergeant Billy : the true story of the goat who went to war

Author:

Messier, Mireille, 1971- author.

Reich, Kass, illustrator.

Summary:

"A delightful tale inspired by the true story of a brave goat war hero. Perfect for fans of Finding Winnie and Rescue and Jessica. During World War I, a goat named Billy was adopted by a platoon of soldiers and made his way across the ocean to be part of the war effort. Billy trained with the soldiers, was smuggled across the ocean, got snuck into the frontlines in a box of oranges, ate some secret documents and was arrested for treason, got trench foot, head-butted soldiers into a trench and saved them from a shell, came back home a decorated war hero. This charming true story follows Sergeant Billy from his small prairie town to the trenches of World War I and back, through harrowing moments, sad moments, moments of camaraderie and moments of celebration. This unforgettable goat and the platoon that loved him will capture your heart!"-- Provided by publisher.

Physical Description:

40 unnumbered pages : illustrations (chiefly color) ; 28 cm

Genre:

Picture books.

Personal Subject:

Sergeant Billy (Goat)-Juvenile literature.

Subject Term:

World War, 1914-1918 -- Juvenile literature.

Animals -- War use -- Juvenile literature.

Author(s):

Reich, Kass,

Publisher:

Tundra Books,

Publication Date:

2019

ISBN:

9780735264427

Publication Information:

Toronto ; New York : Tundra Books, [2019]

Call Number:

P MESSIER

Holds: Copies:

Available:*

Item Barcode	Collection	Call Number	Status	Item Holds
33607003462739	Picture Books	MESSIER	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable

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Summary

A delightful tale inspired by the true story of a brave goat war hero. Perfect for fans of Finding Winnie and Rescue and Jessica. During World War I, a goat named Billy was adopted by a platoon of soldiers and made his way across the ocean to be part of the war effort. Billy...Trained with the soldiers. Was smuggled across the ocean. Got snuck into the frontlines in a box of oranges. Ate some secret documents and was arrested for treason. Got trench foot. Head -butted soldiers into a trench and saved them from a shell.

Author Notes

MIREILLE MESSIER is a Montreal-born, Ottawa-raised and now Toronto-based author, freelance writer and voice-over artist. She has published over twenty children's books--including The Branch , which was nominated for a Governor General's Award--several articles for youth magazines and has collaborated in the production of many family programs and interactive apps for CBC, TVO/TFO and Teletoon. Mireille enjoys reading graphic novels, swing music and, of course, goats.

KASS REICH was born in Montreal, Quebec. She works as an artist and educator and has spent the majority of the last decade traveling and living abroad. She now finds herself back in Canada, but this time in Toronto. Kass loves illustrating books for all ages, including Megabat, Carson Crosses Canada , Hamsters Holding Hands and Dr. Coo and the Pigeon Protest . This is her first book about a goat.

Reviews (1)

School Library Journal Review

K-Gr 2--During World War I, soldiers traveling by train stop in a small town and see a little girl named Daisy with her goat. They think a goat mascot will bring them good luck and ask to "borrow" Billy. There is little background on the soldiers or Daisy, and it is not until the story's end that readers discover that Billy is Canadian, specifically from Saskatchewan. Billy is smuggled aboard a ship to England and then brought to the trenches of France. It all seems like a light-hearted lark by the soldiers. Some readers may question the focus on a goat at the front and the somewhat trivialized depiction of life in the trenches. When there is no food, Billy eats a sock. Corresponding illustrations show a shell-shocked and bandaged Billy with trench foot but happy. Ultimately, Billy gets a medal for bravery in the face of danger. The illustrations are realistic but are missing any sense of difficulty at the front. We see a happy goat, happy soldiers, and a slightly frowning Colonel who does not think goats belong at the front. Billy survives; after the war ends, the animal travels back to Daisy in Canada. VERDICT Although young readers often enjoy stories about service animals, this unusual story, which is similar in tone and format to Lindsay Mattick's Finding Winnie but without the background details, seems to lack a deeper literary significance. It would be surprising if it caught the attention of young readers.--Susan Lissim, Dwight School, New York City